Middle ear ossicular replacement prosthesis having a movable joint
US4281419A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 10, 1979 |
| Grant date | Aug 4, 1981 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 10, 1999 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61F2002/183
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An improvement in an otic prosthesis of the type used in ossicular reconstruction of the sound-conducting mechanism of the middle ear is provided. The improvement comprises a movable joint which connects a head portion and a shaft portion whereby there is provided a flexible, variably angled prosthesis, which can be readily set in position in the middle ear against the tympanum during surgical implantation. The movable joint permits the so-connected shaft portion to move in at least a single plane normal to the head portion and can itself be readily set against either retained bony elements of the sound-conducting mechanism or against tissue grafted into the aperture (oval window) between the middle and the inner ear. The movable joint is responsive to tympanic vibrations and the prosthesis exerts a minimized pressure on the tympanum during surgical implantation and thereafter it also resists dislodgment within or extrusion from the middle ear. The mounting means is characteristically a ball-and-socket joint whereby the ball is attached to the shaft and the socket to the head. The head portion of the prosthesis is preferably constructed entirely of a porous, biocompatible material …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.